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August '09 Featured AZ'er: Todeshandler's 2008 S4 Avant

August '09 Featured AZ'er: Todeshandler's 2008 S4 Avant

August 20, 2009 - By Audizine Staff
User Name: Todeshandler
Real Name: Brian Henderson
Location: Seal Beach, California USA
Year of Vehicle: 2008
Model of Vehicle: S4 Avant
Engine of Vehicle: 4.2 V8
Color of Vehicle: Black
 
Beast, monster, station wagon... If you're an average "Joe American", one of those things just doesn't belong. If you're an Audi nerd though, or perhaps European, then you're not surprised at all by such a grouping of words. Some of the most monstrous cars to be sold by Audi have been wagons (Avants), such as the legendary Porsche-collaborated RS 2 and the very first RS 4. The one we have for you here though is by even more means of the word, a true monster, a Frankenstein's monster if you will. The owner, Brian (AKA: Todeshandler), started off with a perfectly good V8-powered B7 S4 Avant and almost immediately took it to the mad scientists at VF-Engineering for some more power. As it so happened, the team at VF was ramping up efforts on their 4.2 V8 supercharger kit, and Brian's 2008 Avant was to be one of their real world test cars. And so, a beast was born.

Regulars to Audizine's B6/B7 S4/RS4 Forum will know Brian and his car well, but for those of you less familiar here is a bit more information on the car. Aside from the previously stated VF-Engineering supercharger, the engine's ECU is remapped by the crew at GIAC with Miltek downpipes and a STaSIS catback exhaust rounding out the engine mods. The car is lowered on STaSIS Ohlins coilovers and sits on a very eye-catching set of 19 inch wheels. They're Work Mesiter S1's and measure 9 inches wide up front and 10 inches out back.

With the lust for power and speed running in the family, Brian's got that covered as the S4 is now pushing around 500 horsepower. On top of that it's got the good looks and fit-and-finish of an Audi along with the versatility of a five door hatchback. Then there's the sound the car makes as the already beefy V8 engine gets an extra thump of adrenaline from the bright red supercharger system sitting atop it. With quattro all-wheel drive and one of the best aftermarket suspension systems money can buy, the car of course performs great through the twists and turns as well. And all of this from a station wagon. That's my kind of monster!

Current Modifications

 - Engine/Exhaust:
  • Prototype VF-Engineering Supercharger Kit
  • GIAC tuning
  • Miltek Downpipes
  • STaSIS Catback
  • R8 Oil Cap
 - Suspension/Transmission: 
  • STaSIS/Ohlins SL
  • H-Sport sways
 - Wheels/Brakes:
  • Work Meister S1 19"x9" fronts, 19"x10" rears
  • STaSIS stud conversion
  • H&R spacers
- Interior:
  • OEM Euro RS 4 steering wheel
  • OEM Euro RS 4 shift knob
  • OEM Euro RS 4 ebrake
  • JL Audio 10w6 & amp
 - Exterior: 
  • N/A
Future Modifications
 
RS4 Widebody, Rotiform Wheels, RS 4 Titanium Package mirrors, trim and grille.
  
Q (Audizine): So let us begin. How long have you owned your current Audi?
A (Brian): Since Q4 2008.
 
Q: And how has your time been with it thus far?
A: Weeks after purchasing the car I dropped it off with Nik@VF with only 400 miles on the car. Shortly after that I got the car back totally transformed and had 10k trouble free, smile filled miles!

Q: Think you'll be getting another Audi any time soon?
A: Yes. I'll most likely wait for the rumored RS 5.
 
Q: I already know this isn't your first Audi, so tell us, which other models have you owned.
A: I've had over 10 VAG cars but Audi specifically I've had a 1999 A4 1.8T, 2000 S4, 2001.5 S4 Avant (Stg 3), 2005 Audi A6, 1971 100LS.
 
Q: So tell us, how long have you been into Audis and in the European tuning scene?
A: 12 years.

Q: And how long have you been into cars in general, as an enthusiast?
A: All my life. My Father was a professional NHRA drag racer. He raced American but drove European. I grew up in the mountains in Colorado so both my parents drove Audis as far as I can remember.
 
Q: Where do you think your somewhat new-found passion has come from?
A: As I just stated, my Dad was a professional racer and car collector. It's all his fault!

Q: What do you love most about the Audi you have now?
A: The looks you get while driving a 500HP station wagon that sounds like a NASCAR. Needless to say I've caught a lot of people in the greater LA area by surprise.

Q: What's your biggest peeve in regards to the car, the one thing you dislike the most?
A: That it didn't come with forced induction from the factory. This car should have came the way VF-Engineering was able to make it.

Q: Could you explain your modding style? Do you prefer more go, more show, maybe a combo of both?
A: OEM plus. I just try to keep it clean, simple and functional. The goal is to improve on the stock car not just change how it looks.
 
Q: So would you rather do the work yourself, or do you have a favorite shop or mechanic perform the work for you?
A:  I'm fortunate to have many personal friends in the industry so I'm usually able to utilize their facilities and expertise/help after-hours making doing the work myself, or at least having a hand in the work, very easy and enjoyable.
 
Q: Which mod are you the most happy with?
A: I'm happy with the car as a whole. Remove any part from it and it just doesn't work for me. If I had to single one thing out it would definitely be the VF Supercharger kit. The B6/B7 S4 is just uninspiring to drive without it.

Q: What's your fondest memory of owning, modifying, or driving your S4.
A: The day I picked it up from VF. Getting in not knowing what to expect.
 
Q: What would be in your ultimate two-car garage, if money were no object yet you had to pick only two sets of keys?
A: 2009 Audi RS 6 Avant and a 964 911 C2.
 
Q: What do your family members and friends think of your passion for Audis?
A: They think I'm nuts.
 
Q: How does your love for cars, and Audis specifically, affect your life? Does it play a very big part?
A: My love for cars has brought me pretty much all of my closest friends and most recently a new business venture, Rotiform Wheels, so I'd say it makes a significant impact.
 
Q: What brought you to Audizine, and about how long have you been with the community?
A: I've been a part of Audizine since the beginning and have known Anthony for some time. It's one of the best communities on the net.

Q: So when you're not on Audizine, or out playing with your car, what do like to you do for fun?
A: Work, wife, family and traveling. Life is all about balance. I'm still trying to figure out that act though...
 
Q: Do you have an interesting day job that you wouldn't mind talking a bit about it?
A: I've been and Information Technology Director for an International Interior Design and Architecture firm for the past 6 years, spent the years before that climbing the ranks of the IT world but as of last month I've left the computer world to explore the wonderful world of wheels. Most call me a wheel whore so I'm working on turning my passion into a career. I've started a wheel company, Rotiform, and will be releasing our first 4 models Q4 of 2009.
 
Q: So, any words of advice to share with your fellow enthusiasts?
A: If you can't pay for it in cash, don't buy it. I modded my first few cars in the 90s almost totally on credit cards and spent the next several years paying for mods on cars I didn't even own anymore. The size of the budget for the build doesn't translate directly to the coolness. Build for yourself not for some imaginary street cred from people on the internet you'll never meet.

Q: And now lastly, do you have anyone you'd like to thank or give a holler out to?
A: My wife Deanna. Shelby Gibbs (http://www.shelbygibbs.com) for the photographs in this article. Andy, Dan, Frank and the rest of the CGS crew. Hubert and Nik at VF. Jeff Moss. Jason at STaSIS. Garrett and the rest of the gang at GIAC. Eric at SPP. Cesar... There's a whole shit ton more but I don't want to turn this into a ten page article.
  1. Todeshandler's 2008 S4 Avant - by Shelby Gibbs

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  2. Todeshandler's 2008 S4 Avant - by Shelby Gibbs

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  3. Todeshandler's 2008 S4 Avant - by Shelby Gibbs

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  4. Todeshandler's 2008 S4 Avant - by Shelby Gibbs

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  5. Todeshandler's 2008 S4 Avant - by Shelby Gibbs

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  6. Todeshandler's 2008 S4 Avant - by Shelby Gibbs

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  9. Todeshandler's 2008 S4 Avant - by Shelby Gibbs

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  10. Todeshandler's 2008 S4 Avant - by Shelby Gibbs

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  11. Todeshandler's 2008 S4 Avant - by Shelby Gibbs

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  12. Todeshandler's 2008 S4 Avant - by Shelby Gibbs

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  13. Todeshandler's 2008 S4 Avant - by Shelby Gibbs

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  14. Todeshandler's 2008 S4 Avant - by Shelby Gibbs

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  15. Todeshandler's 2008 S4 Avant - by Shelby Gibbs

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August '09 Featured AZ'er: Todeshandler's 2008 S4 Avant
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